There are 3 most effective methods to reduce weight. They are:

1. Balance Diet adjustment - For slight adjustment to weight
2. Low Carbohydrates (Atkin’s Diet) - For moderate adjustment of figure & weight
3. No Carbohydrate diet (Ketogenic Diet) - For intensive adjustment to figure & weight

There had been world wide debates between dietitians on the best possible way to reduced weight. And of the many list of diets, the minor adjustment of well-balanced diet is the safest and most welcomed. Let look into the very 1^st option we have:

BALANCE DIET

http://www.hpb.gov.sg/hpb/default.asp?pg_id=865&aid=316

In short, balanced diet encourage high intake of everything except proteins and fats.

Advantage: No known side effects, big variety of food

Disadvantage: Slow effect, small quantity of favorite food for protein lovers.

In dietitians’ view, once you are practicing a balance diet, sliming down would involve converting percentage amount of protein and carbohydrate into fruits and vegetables. This work wonderfully although is slow, is still very safe as vegetables and fruits are well-known to help in dieting.

LOW CARBOHYDRATES DIET (ATKIN’S Diet) and NO CARBOHYDRATE DIET (KETOGENIC DIET)

Atkins diet has been one of the world’s greatest diet findings so far. The success achieved worldwide make many researchers to find troubles and write articles to condemn its practice. So far reports of adverse reactions are low and arguments surfaced that the dieters who faced problems had took too little protein for the body to compensate the low intake of carbohydrates.

I personally had advised many to try the diet strategy and results have been good when they practiced it. I still practice once a while when I am not pleased with my own weight and results can go as fast as losing 7kg in the first week.

So how this diet actually works?

1. It’s widely taught that Protein and fats are the main cause of weight gain as carbohydrate is usually the body’s main energy source.
2. Further research proven that Carbohydrate is not compulsory as protein and fats can take over in its absences.
3. Dr. Atkins believed by altering the Carbohydrate amount in diet can counter the weight problems as obesity was increasing drastically in USA and other developed countries.
4. By altering the Carbohydrates to a low level, will cause the body to break down body fat and protein as main energy source. (Ketosis)
5. You can refer to the full guide http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atkins_diet or,

What my friends and I practice is the easier to follow and less detailed one:

1. Only eat Carbohydrate (rice/noodles/bread) ONE MEAL per day

2. Alternative you can completely stop eating carbohydrate completely (Ketogenic diet) – DO NOT PROLONG more than 1 week

3. Use purely Protein and Vegetables/Fruits as meals

4. Measure weight. Start to increase the carbohydrate little by little daily once ideal weight is met.

5. Or simply let it reduce further without increasing the carbohydrate.

Advantage: Meat+vegetable lovers, the effects are fast, long lasting, reversible weight with just alteration of carbohydrate.

Disadvantage: Carbohydrate food lovers, occasional weakness for those who aren’t used to the diet. (Solvable)

Let’s look at some of the common argument of this diet, its possible reasons and ways to overcome its effects if it really surfaced:

1. Feeling of weakness due to unaccustomed low blood sugar: This can happen in the initial stages of adjustment. Increase your proteins intake in meals or if it happens hours before your next meal, pop a sweet or eat a small piece of chocolate should do it
2. Red Meat causes increased waistline: According to several research, this theory was actually believed to be WRONG. Many of the researchers supporting the Atkins diet believes that is the food that comes with the red beef are actually the one that causes the problems. A notable fact that Beef patty comes with burger + French fries + Soft drinks. In fact, studies shown that red meat can REDUCE Waist line:

http://www.itwire.com/content/view/15668/1066/ - latest research

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Bad-Foods-Great-Waist-Line-t162194.html&pid=1744328 –this one is for laughs but it does make sense.

3. High Protein Diet causes high blood pressure: Several studies concluded that this is false. The true fact is high protein taken with high carbohydrate diet that causes the problem. High protein and low carbohydrate diet actually REDUCED the risk.
4. You can look at more clear pros and cons from the links below:

http://reviews.ebay.com/Atkins-diet-new-controversy-low-carb-recipes-etc_W0QQugidZ10000000001688718

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